Geetha’s what to watch: San Andreas, Aloha, and Heaven Knows What

Geetha has your movies for this week! Summer is kicking off in a big way with San Andreas! Sound like the perfect summer popcorn movie, and I’m not just saying that because my little brother worked on the special effects (like a giant tsunami destroying Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco). She also has reviews of Aloha and Heaven Knows What! Check ’em out and let us know if you get to see these flicks.

SAN ANDREAS

Yes! Get ready to get blown away by the awesome power of the San Andreas fault in SAN ANDREAS. Opening this weekend, this CGI-heavy flick features ‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson as rescue chopper pilot Ray, decked out in fitted tees and showing off his spectacular bod as he scrambles to rescue his estranged family before the earthquake tears open the earth from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Equally magnificent is Carla Gugino as feisty ex-wife Emma, and there’s more kickassdom in store thanks to the pilot’s daughter Blake (Alexandra Daddario).

Romance is provided via Ben (Hugo Johnstone-Burt), the hot British engineer who helps Blake escape death in a parking garage. Paul Giamatti plays the seismologist who predicts the event the rest of the country is just lusting to have happen in California. Bridges break, cruiseships are crushed, and tankers are flung about like toys by loving Mother Nature. There’s absolutely no character development to cloy the special effects, and as for emotional depth, well, it’s about as thick as a sheet of paper. But who’s going to be missing that while being shoved back in that seat by this effects-happy disaster flick? That’s right, no one. So turn off the annoying inner critic and go for the thrills! You won’t be disappointed. Here’s the trailer:

ALOHA

Cameron Crowe’s ALOHA may be best watched via Netflix. In this unfortunately rambling story, Bradley Cooper stars as Brian Gilcrest, a weapons consultant/ military contractor who used to work in Hawaii. Carson Welch (Bill Murray) is a billionaire with a deal with the US military (cantankerous General Dixon, played by Alec Baldwin) to launch a satellite from Hawaii, and since Brian knows the island and its people well, he’s hired by Welch to calm down the inhabitants about the launch (Dennis Kanahele plays himself—a Native Hawaiian activist).

The instant he gets there, he meets with old girlfriend Tracy (Rachel McAdams) whom he abandoned thirteen years ago, who’s now married (John Krasinski). But, there’s also an attractive major Lisa Ng (Emma Stone), who’s babysitting Brian through the important trip. After that, the flick sadly falls apart due to a lack of focus and cohesion. Also, for a story set in Hawaii, there’s not a single Hawaiian in the cast. Ng constantly refers to her Hawaiian heritage, but there’s no reason her character couldn’t have been played by a Hawaiian actress. It certainly would have deleted the need for Tracy to keep constantly reminding us of her said heritage. View the trailer here:

HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT

There’s also HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT, a documentary-style portrait of a heroin addict named Harley living in New York. The lead is played by newcomer Arielle Holmes, who suffered through this unfortunate experience quite recently. After getting away from her mean boyfriend Ilya (Caleb Landry Jones), Harley finds it hard to cope. She ends up hooking up with her abusive dealer Mike (Buddy Duress). If you love this sort of gritty portrait, you’ll enjoy this movie. Many of the ‘actors’ are colorful locals… which doesn’t work all the time, since they’re not professional actors and lack the talent to carry off the role, even if they’re actually living the part. However, the lead is certainly electrifying. View the trailer here:

Here’s hoping your summer’s started off splendidly. See you at the movies!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

twitter (@username)

you MUST enable javascript to be able to comment

This blog uses premium CommentLuv which allows you to put your keywords with your name if you have had 0 approved comments. Use your real name and then @ your keywords (maximum of 3)

Sign up for Reel Mama’s email newsletter!

Your Best E-Mail

Welcome!

I’m so delighted to welcome you to ReelMama.com, your resource for fun and memorable family together time, featuring movie reviews and family films, creative parenting, DIY, recipes, giveaways, and much more. Make yourself at home and have a look around. If you find a post you like, leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you! I welcome emails at Lauren at Laurenivychiong.com.